Field day highlights fruit research, extension programs
June 26, 2008Contact Information:
Dan Chapman, Resident Director, Fruit Research Station
479-754-2406 / dlchapma@uark.edu
By Fred Miller, Science Editor
479-575-5647 / fmiller@uark.edu
Dr. John R. Clark talks about the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture fruit breeding program during the Fruit Field Day. About 380 people attended the field day June 24.
Dr. Curt Rom talks about peach variety testing during a field day at the Fruit Research Station.
CLARKSVILLE, Ark. – Some 380 visitors learned firsthand how the University of Arkansas System’s Division of Agriculture fruit research and extension programs support fruit growers during a field day June 24 at the Fruit Research Station.
“Everything Arkansas farmers know about growing fruit comes from here,” said Dr. Kent Westbrook in his keynote address for the dedication of a new administrative building at the station during the field day.
Westbrook, distinguished professor of surgery at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, is the son of Cole Westbrook, first director of what was then the Fruit Substation.
During field tours, visitors saw Natchez, the latest blackberry variety released from the division’s fruit breeding program. John R. Clark, head of the fruit breeding program, said the thornless, upright variety was released in 2007 and features large, sweet berries and high yields.
Clark said the fruit breeding program has released 41 varieties of blackberries, blueberries, peaches, nectarines and ornamental fruit plants since it was founded in 1964 by plant breeder James N. Moore. Arkansas blackberries are grown on every continent except Antarctica and the U of A Division of Agriculture developed the first primocane varieties, which produce blackberries in the spring on year-old canes and in the fall on new canes.
Other stops included the variety testing orchard, where peach varieties from Arkansas and other states are evaluated for their ability to grow and produce fruit in Arkansas; test plots for fertilizer in peach and pecan trees; and insect research using traps to determine whether control measures are needed in orchards.
The new 4800-square-foot administrative building replaces an older building constructed in 1975. The new building includes offices for administration and staff, a laboratory, small conference room, small kitchen and a meeting/work room. It was designed by SCM Architects of Little Rock and built by Hydco Inc. of North Little Rock.
“The big advantage is that the building has satellite internet connection and phones in every room,” said resident director Dan Chapman, noting the old building had only one dial-up internet connection. “Office space is doubled, the lab has updated equipment and the meeting room has internet connection in the center of the room to facilitate computers used for presentations.”
The field day also featured presentations on research and extension programs for home lawns and gardens, orchards, wildflowers, composting, organic and sustainable blackberry and pecan production, edible landscaping, the role of fruits in human health and other horticultural topics. A fruit dessert contest and children’s activities, and a barbecue lunch rounded out the event.